.223 for bear, mountain goat, deer, elk, and moose.

Took a doe with a Black Hills 77gr TMK at 100 yards out of a 12.5 bbl. Dropped her right there, quick kill. No exit wound which seemed odd, a lot of the pics and stories on here have soft ball size exit wounds. Anyone else have no exit?
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Dad just picked up a Roughtech Ember in 243. Twist rate was not marked on the barrel. Using a cleaning rod it was confirmed to be an 8 twist. Model # JRTXRBS315. Apparently they’re showing up.
Interesting they didn't mark the barrel. All the other Calibers they have multiple twist rates are stamped. Suppose you could load up some a 108s and check er out
 
Agreed on the lack of stamping on the barrel. It’s a first for me.
Probably try 108’s in the spring.
 
EVERY new bore get punched with a cleaning rod, to get a reading on it's true Twist Rate before the first shot...
 
Has anyone used the 77 grain open tip match load from SiG?
I have killed several coyotes with the IMI Razor Core 77gr SMK. Golf ball and bigger exits on every one. These were out of a 1-8" 18" AR from 150-300 yards.
 
As close as I get…


Do not exceed published maximums.



P
I hit 3035 fps with H4895, Nammo brass, CCI450s, out of a Tikka Varmint suppressed. Very accuate and low sd.
 
I would be interested to see a picture of that please
Sorry I missed this ...

If this was referring to the Mountain Tactical Raptor Mount, I don't have a pic of it on my Bravo - have swapped that out, and about to install a Minox ZP5 with THLR reticle (the "Alternative Rokslide Special").

Strongly considering putting it on my 223, though, and swapping the SWFA 3-9 for the LRHS 3-12 - the weight penalty is probably worth it for the better glass, for my eyes.

If I remember, I'll post that up here. In the meantime, here's the mount itself:

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Another extensive load work up. Tossed my Hornady brass. Sick of the inconsistency. Loaded some 60tmk in Fresh Lapua brass. Shot 10 shots to find pressure in the back yard, loaded 10 at a grain off pressure and shot a group.

Bonus 60tmk zero is a tenth high over my 77tmk zero. I’ll continue to shoot the 60s for drills, predators and prairie dogs.

View attachment 469802
@Lawnboi: sorry if it's already been asked in the intervening 30-odd pages (!), but what is that on your barrel - is that your suppressor cover back over the barrel during shooting? Can you tell us what that's about? :)
 
That's impressive. What powder charge? I'm at 2900 with a 75 eldm at 23.9gr in a superlite.
24.9 if I am remembering right. I am loading these to just over 2.50" COAL though. Nammo brass is Lapua 5.56 military brass.
 
Bought a tikka, put the vertical grip on, lightened the factory trigger as much as I could. About 20 rounds down the barrel.

Shot this group with a cold barrel at 105 yards (3shots). Ammo inc 60 gr vmax. Later this winter I’m going to load up the 77tmk I bought.

Waiting for my 6x mil. Swfa to ship.

I’m drinking the coolaid
 

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In the process of building a howa mini 223 now after reading this entire thread. Got a barreled action from Brownells cutting it to 16” and threading it. Ordered a stock and bottom metal from Oregon gunsmithing. Can’t wait to put it all together. Thanks for all the info guys!
 
Thanks to @Formidilosus and everyone for a very informative thread.

I saw these Federal Tactical 77 TMK was in stock and ordered some. Although blue rather than green tip seems like the same TMK. Hope it helps someone looking.


Is the 77gr Federal Premium Law Enforcement Tactical Tip Matchking the same bullet as the 77gr tmk?? Just a blue tip instead of green ?



I found a ways back that it was verified that the blue tip and green tip utilize the same bullet. Does anyone know if this this is still correct? Sorry, I just wanted to double check before I bought a bunch. Thanks.

** I was able to verify with Federal that it's the same bullet. Blue = law enforcement. The previous info is still correct.
 
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Bought a tikka, put the vertical grip on, lightened the factory trigger as much as I could. About 20 rounds down the barrel.

Shot this group with a cold barrel at 105 yards (3shots). Ammo inc 60 gr vmax. Later this winter I’m going to load up the 77tmk I bought.

Waiting for my 6x mil. Swfa to ship.

I’m drinking the coolaid
Atta boy.

Randy
 
Currently in the neighborhood of 2k rounds down the barrel of the 223 now and no more than a paper towel to wipe down the action from time to time in regards to cleaning. After watching the your groups are too small video and just various rokslide thread reading I realized I’d never shot a 10 shot group for research purposes. Finally got around to doing so last weekend and this was the result. I’ve thought about cleaning it for no real good reason but I think I’ll just keep shooting.
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Up to 9 deer total with 223, about half with 62grn fusion and the rest with 77tmk. All under 100 yds almost never any blood, or much for obvious damage to the hide. All but one died quickly, well under 50 yds, the one that did not, was a poor hit. Internal damage with the 62grn fusion seemed a little on the light side to me, but was pretty easy on meat. The 77tmk.....pretty tough on meat. One doe was hit square in the chest, pointed right at us. Both shoulders had some damage, and bloodshot.
 
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